Ferreira's first match after returning to the team he led to a rare domestic double in 2015 ended on a sour note, with Wydad converting a penalty early in the second half to complete the double over Zamalek, having also defeated them 3-1 in Casablanca last month.

The five-time African champions, who have not won any of their first four games, lie third in Group D with two points, five behind Angola's Petro Atletico, who have a game in hand, and seven adrift of leaders Wydad, who moved within touching distance of a place in the last eight.

Should Petro Atletico beat fellow Angolan side Sagrada Esperance (one point) on Saturday, Zamalek will officially wave goodbye to Africa's blue-riband club competition, which they last won in 2002.  

Ferreira admitted that Zamalek are unlikely to make it to the quarters but insisted they still have other titles to play for.

"We are almost out of the Champions League. We have two matches that even if we won, it's unlikely that Petro Atletico would not collect points" the veteran Portuguese coach told the post-match news conference.

"The situation is definitely not satisfactory for the club or its fans. Zamalek did not lose the qualification today, but lost it before.

"The team became disjointed after conceding a goal against Wydad early in the second half; this means there was a problem. I took charge three days ago and I did not have time to be aware of everything.

"We must solve the problems and everyone should stand together because there is a league and a cup that we want to win, and we also want to play in the Champions League next year," he added.

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